Photo of an Alco 300 locomotive, from an ad for Alco diesel locomotives in Railway Age dated 21 October 1933.
(American Locomotive Company, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
ALCO 300 DIESEL-ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
The ALCO 300 was an early diesel-electric switcher locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York between 1931 and 1938.
Following purchase of the engine manufacturer McIntosh & Seymour in 1929, ALCO built a 300 horsepower (220 kW) box cab locomotive. This was the No. 300, an ALCO demonstrator. The engine used was the Model 330 and GE electrical transmission was used. Another demonstrator No. 300 was built as an end cab switcher in July 1931 also using General Electric electrical equipment. This unit was sold to the Lehigh Valley Railroad as its No. 102. A subsequent 300 horsepower (220 kW) end cab switcher was sold to the Lehigh Valley as its No. 103 in December 1931. A McIntosh and Seymour Box cab Lehigh Valley No. 125 was rebuilt with an ALCO 330 engine in 1931 and then renumbered Lehigh Valley No. 101.
Three more end cab 300 horsepower (220 kW) switchers were built in 1932 for stock demonstrators, but they were not sold until 1935. An additional two 300 horsepower (220 kW) end cab switchers were built in 1935. All these stock units and the two new end cab switchers were sold to the US Navy in 1935. The final two 300 horsepower (220 kW) end cab switchers were built in 1938 for the United Fruit Company's narrow gauge railroad in Panama.
None have been preserved.
Overview
Type and origin
Power type: Diesel-Electric
Builder: ALCO
Build date: 1931-1938
Total produced: 11
Specifications
Gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Fuel type: Diesel fuel
Prime mover: Alco Model 330
Traction motors: General Electric
Performance figures
Power output: 300 hp (224 kW)
Career
Operators: Lehigh Valley Railroad (3), US Navy (5) , United Fruit Company (3)
Numbers: 101-103 (Lehigh Valley Railroad)
Delivered: 1931-1938
Disposition: All scrapped
Note: Two locomotives were rebuilt McIntosh & Seymour Box cab switchers.